A husband found in the village? I bought a regent for a penny!

The Spring Equinox Ceremony requires offering three sacrificial animals: pig, sheep, and chicken. The village chief, on behalf of the entire village, burns incense and worships the local land deity.

In addition, one must take a ladle of water for the beginning of spring from the thawed river or mountain spring in the village in advance.

Another pair of children randomly took a handful of soil from the village.

Offering water and soil to the gods symbolizes that the villagers will never forget that every meal and drink comes from the local soil and water and is blessed by the gods.

Gu Xixi followed local customs and stood quietly in the crowd.

Only after the village elder, Qian, announced the end of the Spring Equinox Ceremony did the devout people gradually begin their activities.

Sister-in-law Qin had already spotted Gu Xixi's location and immediately walked over through the crowd.

"Xixi, what are your thoughts on this important matter?"

Gu Xixi had been making Qin Dasao wait since before the Lunar New Year, but today is already the beginning of spring.

Before long, everything will grow, and it will be too late to discuss what to plant when it's time to plant trees and seeds.

Gu Xixi patted Qin's sister-in-law's hand with a smile, "I know you're anxious, sister-in-law, but I'm just as worried."

"There's no time like the present, let's do it today, let's talk now."

"Huh?" Sister-in-law Qin was surprised, thinking she had misheard.

Gu Xixi called out loudly to the dispersing crowd, "Fellow villagers! If you'd like to hear a few words from me, please stay!"

Everyone stopped in their tracks, out of curiosity—after all, listening was free!

Among them, Sister-in-law Qin and Lao Qian were the most excited, as they had been looking forward to this moment for a long time!

Seeing this, Gu Xixi continued, "I know that since the end of last autumn, many neighbors have been curious about what my family will plant next year and how we will plant it."

"Today I will discuss this matter in detail with you all."

Someone shouted, "So what exactly are you going to plant?!"

During the winter off-season, this topic was the subject of much speculation but remained unresolved.

The truth is finally about to be revealed. Who wouldn't be excited?

Gu Xixi smiled and said, "Fruit trees."

Before she could continue, someone else eagerly asked, "What kind of fruit tree? Peach, pear, or apricot?"

There are only three common types of fruit trees found locally.

The villagers were somewhat disheartened by this point.

Fruit trees are neither good for eating nor for drinking.

Just like children eating candy, only those with spare money in their pockets will buy it to satisfy their cravings.

Planting fruit trees instead of crops? Isn't that ridiculous?!

Several older people had already shaken their heads and turned to leave.

Gu Xixi said, "Compared to the three types you mentioned, the soil and climate in our village are more suitable for growing Pinpo fruit."

"It could even be said that it is uniquely endowed and perfectly suited."

"Pinpo fruit? What is that?" The villagers were curious and began to discuss it amongst themselves.

Old Qian raised his hand to Gu Xixi, "Niece, may I speak to everyone on your behalf?"

Gu Xixi nodded, "Uncle Qian, please."

Old Qian still held considerable authority in the village.

He was about to speak when the few people who were about to leave stopped.

Old Qian cleared his throat and said in a strong voice, "The Pinpo fruit is a fruit tree that was introduced from the Western Regions. It has been planted in our Daye territory for more than ten or twenty years, especially in the north."

The villagers were skeptical. "If it's being grown there, why haven't we seen it grown?"

Old Qian said with a stern face, "What's the rush? Let me finish!"

"The nursery of this Bodhi fruit is controlled by merchants from the Western Regions. The seedlings are not something anyone can buy! Moreover, they are not cheap. Only high-ranking officials and wealthy families plant them in their mansions or farms."

Master Gu said disappointedly, "I thought it was some good way out!"

"What do these strange objects have to do with us ordinary folks? Don't you all agree?"

Everyone agreed.

Second Master Gu is Gu Xixi's great-uncle from the same clan. Since he said so, everyone else...

Seeing that more and more people were about to leave, Sister-in-law Qin became anxious, "Xixi, no one is listening to us, what should we do?"

Gu Xixi was not surprised by this situation.

"I have already ordered the Pinpo fruit trees, and the saplings will be delivered to the village in a few days."

"Those who want to plant fruit trees with me this year don't need to spend their own money to buy saplings."

Free is an equal temptation for all human beings.

Sure enough, someone stopped and asked, "No need to spend money, so it's free?"

Gu Xixi chuckled, "Given away for free? How could that be?"

“If I give you the saplings and you resell them or chop them up for firewood, wouldn’t I be losing out big time and you get all the benefits? What kind of fool would do that?”

The person who asked the question touched his nose, feeling embarrassed at being exposed.

Gu Xixi took a deep breath and said, "What I'm about to say is all about the details of planting trees. Whether you're interested or have doubts, you can stay and listen."

"If you really don't like this matter, I won't take up any more of your time. Please leave."

Upon hearing this, about a third of the people left.

Of the remaining two-thirds, at least half are bored and curious.

Aunt Zhang glanced at Gu Xixi with concern, but said nothing.

Since late spring last year, she has watched Xixi overcome countless seemingly impossible difficulties.

No matter how difficult this matter may seem, she just needs to firmly support Xixi.

Aunt Zhang looked at Mu Nanzhao again and saw that he remained calm and had not said anything yet.

Aunt Zhang's heart was finally at ease.

Anyway, nothing bad will happen!

Gu Xixi patiently waited for the number of people at the scene to stabilize before she began her explanation.

The cultivation of Pinellia ternata is roughly divided into two areas.

Firstly, families who wish to plant the trees must meet the conditions listed by Gu Xixi and sign a contract with Gu Xixi based on the number of saplings they receive.

Secondly, Gu Xixi provides full guidance on planting Pinpo fruit trees and, after the trees bear fruit, will receive a share of the net profit per pound of Pinpo fruit for five consecutive years.

The villagers also have many problems.

Q: "It's too difficult for fruit trees to bear fruit. Even if we follow your conditions, if we only use half of our land to plant fruit trees and intercrop multiple crops, we can still have some income."

"But so many fruit trees take up land and need to be tended. If they don't bear fruit for three or four years, isn't that a loss?"

Gu Xixi said, "What if I told them I could make them bear fruit in two years at most?"

"And can I guarantee that the fruit will taste good, have a high yield, and be uniformly beautiful in shape?"

The villagers were in an uproar.

Even those secretly hiding outside the earth god temple were shocked and gasped in astonishment.

They were all farmers. Although they had never grown fruit trees, they knew that whether the fruit was big and sweet or misshapen and cracked depended entirely on the will of God.

Does Gu Xixi think she's a goddess?

Second Master Gu didn't leave. He shouted, "Can you guarantee everyone that things will be as you say in two years?!"

I thought Gu Xixi would put on a brave face for the sake of her reputation.

To everyone's surprise, she smiled and said, "I can't guarantee that."

The crowd was taken aback, followed by a chorus of boos.

Even Lao Qian and Sister-in-law Qin couldn't figure out Gu Xixi's true intentions.

Only Mu Nanzhao looked at Gu Xixi, a smile playing on his lips, as if he couldn't help but chuckle.